Micropropagation of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Abstract

Plant propagation via nodal explants of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) was studied. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented either with NAA and kinetin or NAA and BA in different concentrations was used for this purpose. The most favourable for axillary branching was MS medium supplemented with 0.5 µM NAA and 2.5 µM kinetin. The number of regenerated shoots per explant reached 3.8 ± 1.3. To increase the multiplication rate a two stage procedure of propagation was also elaborated. First, an induction of organogenic calli was achieved using thidiazuron (TDZ) as a sole growth regulator in the nutrient medium (concentration range: 0.1-0.5 µM). Next, regeneration of shoots on the medium containing 2.2 µM BA was performed. Over 20 shoots per explant could be obtained following the described procedure. The regenerated shoots rooted easily on a modified MS medium (1/2 macronutrients) and were successfully adapted to growth in pots.